Yoel Isaac Diaz

“Robert Bowman, who had flown 101 combat missions in Vietnam, and then had become a Catholic bishop, commented on the terrorist bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. In an article in the National Catholic Reporter he wrote about the roots of terrorism: We are not hated because we practice democracy, value freedom, or uphold human rights. We are hated because our government denies these things to people in Third World countries whose resources are coveted by our multinational corporations. That hatred we have sown has come back to haunt us in the form of terrorism. . . . Instead of sending our sons and daughters around the world to kill Arabs so we can have the oil under their sand we should send them to rebuild their infrastructure, supply clean water, and feed starving children. In short, we should do good instead of evil. Who would try to stop us? Who would hate us? Who would want to bomb us? That is the truth the American people need to hear.”
― Howard Zinn, A People's History of the United States

“Frances lit a cigarette. "Do you regret not having children?"
"Never once. Never for a day. Do you regret having one?"
Frances laughed.
"I'm being serious, " said Joan.
"Oh. Well, sometimes I do, to be honest."
"But you wouldn't change him."
"Yes, I would."
"But you wouldn't change him much."
"I'd change him quite a bit."
"But you love him."
"So much that it pains me.”
― Patrick deWitt, French Exit: a Novel

“...But I trust I will live
in my skin again, if life
is sweet and long.”
― Maggie Nelson, Something Bright, Then Holes

“Afterward (or, The Bridge)

Because desire always exceeds
its object. Because the energy you gave me

feels big enough to birth wings. Because
I want you to push into the wetness

and I know it. Because of the salt
and the wind. Because everything

that is supposed to happen
will happen, is happening, or

has already happened. Because
ambivalence is more beautiful

than justice. Because my heart is
shooting ahead, and I have no choice

but to follow it. Because I want you
to be happy, with or without me.

Because of the birds fleeing the storm.
Because the harbor is permeable

and shining. Because it felt like
that last night of my life

but it wasn't. Because a web of cables
is there to catch me if I blow

sideways, and always will be. Because
I walked across the bridge and was free.”
― Maggie Nelson, Something Bright, Then Holes